SOTG

[Marcus92]

Oh, and Markus was solid, too. He really played like a PG. Only took one shot because he didn't need to shoot. Kept the offense flowing nicely when he was in the game.

Agreed. He looked so active distributing and on D, I never noticed it took him so long to get on the scoreboard.

[GooooMarquette]

If JJJ gets it, he'll be the 7th different player so far this season in 9 wins. Backs up what Wojo said at the open practice about every player on the team being the best at one point or another. Marquette's success will come as a team, not because of a single standout player.

Agreed.  I can't recall us having a more balanced team.

[Stretchdeltsig]

1.  Duane.
2.  Sam.
3.  Heldt.

[bilsu]

Duane

[mubb3434]

1. Duane
2. Haany
3. JJJ
4. Sam

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I don't think there's anyway that JJJ wasn't one of the three best players on the court last night (per KenPom he was the best). But a lot of posters aren't including them in their top 3, 4, or 5.

I think I'm going to call it the MUFINY effect....

[forgetful]

I don't think there's anyway that JJJ wasn't one of the three best players on the court last night (per KenPom he was the best). But a lot of posters aren't including them in their top 3, 4, or 5.

I think I'm going to call it the MUFINY effect....

I believe everyone that lists 4 or 5 has JJJ in it.

I would argue there wasn't a clear top player, really 6-7 players that all played well and did their job.  Duane stepped up and was vocal when everyone was standing around doing nothing again and we were losing to an inferior opponent.

Last I checked KenPom doesn't have a stat for defensive leadership/game changing attitude. 

I'm also not a big proponent for using stats absolutely.  JJJ jacked up an ill-advised 3 early in the shot clock.  It was a bad shot, more often than not he misses that and it hurts the team.  He made it, so suddenly stats wise it looks great; game wise terrible.  In contrast, a necessary 3 late in the shot clock that may be forced, misses; have to take the shot, but stats wise hurts your eFG% and all the other Kenpom stats.  Stats are helpful, but need to be taken in context.

JJJ played well, but didn't clearly stand out in performance compared to Duane (all around performance and leadership), Cheatham (80% from the field 19 pts; but bad TOs).  The only place someone clearly stood out was on defense and leadership (Duane).

Now there is also the aspect that JJJ is supposed to be the leader; so many including me, have higher expectations for him.  I probably nudged him below Cheatham, because of this.

[wadesworld]

MUBB says Heldt.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I believe everyone that lists 4 or 5 has JJJ in it.

I would argue there wasn't a clear top player, really 6-7 players that all played well and did their job.  Duane stepped up and was vocal when everyone was standing around doing nothing again and we were losing to an inferior opponent.

Last I checked KenPom doesn't have a stat for defensive leadership/game changing attitude. 

I'm also not a big proponent for using stats absolutely.  JJJ jacked up an ill-advised 3 early in the shot clock.  It was a bad shot, more often than not he misses that and it hurts the team.  He made it, so suddenly stats wise it looks great; game wise terrible.  In contrast, a necessary 3 late in the shot clock that may be forced, misses; have to take the shot, but stats wise hurts your eFG% and all the other Kenpom stats.  Stats are helpful, but need to be taken in context.

JJJ played well, but didn't clearly stand out in performance compared to Duane (all around performance and leadership), Cheatham (80% from the field 19 pts; but bad TOs).  The only place someone clearly stood out was on defense and leadership (Duane).

Now there is also the aspect that JJJ is supposed to be the leader; so many including me, have higher expectations for him.  I probably nudged him below Cheatham, because of this.

This is true, not sure why I thought otherwise.

Mostly my post was meant to be funny, poking a little fun at MUFINY. But I do think JJJ was the most deserving last night. The one three was bad but I'm not worried as much about it when 1. it went in, 2. we had a more than comfortable lead at the time. Thought his passing was excellent and played solid defense.

[forgetful]

This is true, not sure why I thought otherwise.

Mostly my post was meant to be funny, poking a little fun at MUFINY. But I do think JJJ was the most deserving last night. The one three was bad but I'm not worried as much about it when 1. it went in, 2. we had a more than comfortable lead at the time. Thought his passing was excellent and played solid defense.

Honestly, MUFINY is also contributing to JJJ's lackluster performance in the SOTG, he's really holding JJJ back; he's demotivating votes for JJJ.

[TVDirector]

HC, with a nod to DW and LF.

really liked Luke's movement- didn't notice many instances where he was caught flatfooted.

Heldt is still rather stiff-  some good moments, but fouls out in 14 minutes or whatever?  sure that's ok I suppose for a backup, but if he's the middle man next year......
doesn't seem to have the instincts yet-  slow to react... one play he didn't move his arms quickly enough to secure a defensive rebound then fouled the player who did- another play on O his reactions to a potential offensive rebound were behind the ball's movement, almost like he was flailing at it.
love his intensity at times, but has a load of work to do for next season.

loved JJ's assists- not so much the early TOs.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

loved JJ's assists- not so much the early TOs.

He only had one on the game....

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Honestly, MUFINY is also contributing to JJJ's lackluster performance in the SOTG, he's really holding JJJ back; he's demotivating votes for JJJ.

YES!

[dgies9156]

MUBB says Heldt.

When Heldt stops being a human foul machine, he will qualify for consideration as a stud.

Until then... NO

[DoggyDaddy]

Great team effort but Duane made a difference at the right time.

[MUBigDance]

Duane D +1

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

Duane.

But would be fine with JJJ or Hanni.

[MU82]

I believe everyone that lists 4 or 5 has JJJ in it.

I would argue there wasn't a clear top player, really 6-7 players that all played well and did their job.  Duane stepped up and was vocal when everyone was standing around doing nothing again and we were losing to an inferior opponent.

Last I checked KenPom doesn't have a stat for defensive leadership/game changing attitude. 

I'm also not a big proponent for using stats absolutely.  JJJ jacked up an ill-advised 3 early in the shot clock.  It was a bad shot, more often than not he misses that and it hurts the team.  He made it, so suddenly stats wise it looks great; game wise terrible.  In contrast, a necessary 3 late in the shot clock that may be forced, misses; have to take the shot, but stats wise hurts your eFG% and all the other Kenpom stats.  Stats are helpful, but need to be taken in context.

JJJ played well, but didn't clearly stand out in performance compared to Duane (all around performance and leadership), Cheatham (80% from the field 19 pts; but bad TOs).  The only place someone clearly stood out was on defense and leadership (Duane).

Now there is also the aspect that JJJ is supposed to be the leader; so many including me, have higher expectations for him.  I probably nudged him below Cheatham, because of this.

Agree wholeheartedly with the sentence I bolded. Everybody, including us here, falls back on stats too often. I still like JJJ for stud but again, I fully support a Duane choice. For the record, IIRC Duane also jacked up an early 3 that had me saying, "Oh no" ... until it went in.

[Marcus92]

When Heldt stops being a human foul machine, he will qualify for consideration as a stud.

Until then... NO

Matt did have a strong game. Great to see his energy, he and the team were really fired up after his early and-one. Not SOTG level, but he made a difference.

[Newsdreams]

Honestly, MUFINY is also contributing to JJJ's lackluster performance in the SOTG, he's really holding JJJ back; he's demotivating votes for JJJ.

Yes, MUFINY is a demotivator!

[Marcus92]

Now there is also the aspect that JJJ is supposed to be the leader; so many including me, have higher expectations for him.

Sometimes I wonder what exactly fans expect of JJJ.

He's played in every game this season. First on the team in steals. Second in minutes played, points scored, defensive rebounds, assists and blocked shots.

He's improved in virtually every statistical category compared to a year ago: MPG, USG%, FG%, eFG%, FT%, PPG, RPG, ORB%, DRB%, TRB%, APG, AST%, STL%, BLK%, PER, ORtg and DRtg. Can anyone fault his shot selection if he's hitting 58.6% inside the arc and 34.3% from three, while leading the team in usage? Turnovers are higher than I'd like, but not outrageous.

I know we haven't hit the conference schedule yet. But I'm quite happy with JaJuan's contribution to date. I think he's going to help us win a lot of games.

[Galway Eagle]

Sometimes I wonder what exactly fans expect of JJJ.

He's played in every game this season. First on the team in steals. Second in minutes played, points scored, defensive rebounds, assists and blocked shots.

He's improved in virtually every statistical category compared to a year ago: MPG, USG%, FG%, eFG%, FT%, PPG, RPG, ORB%, DRB%, TRB%, APG, AST%, STL%, BLK%, PER, ORtg and DRtg. Can anyone fault his shot selection if he's hitting 58.6% inside the arc and 34.3% from three, while leading the team in usage? Turnovers are higher than I'd like, but not outrageous.

I know we haven't hit the conference schedule yet. But I'm quite happy with JaJuan's contribution to date. I think he's going to help us win a lot of games.

To play like the highest ranked recruit MU had gotten in years (Till Ellenson came around)

[Marcus92]

To play like the highest ranked recruit MU had gotten in years (Till Ellenson came around)

What I'm not clear on is where exactly JJJ falls short.

Right now he's easily one of our best players — I'd say it's a toss-up between him and Luke, a former Mr. Basketball for the state of Wisconsin. (Not coincidentally, both seniors.) And JaJuan may still be improving.

Then again, what am I thinking? There are posters here who looked at Henry's high school accolades and felt anything less than 25 ppg, 15 rpg and a Final Four was underachieving.

[Galway Eagle]

What I'm not clear on is where exactly JJJ falls short.

Right now he's easily one of our best players — I'd say it's a toss-up between him and Luke, a former Mr. Basketball for the state of Wisconsin. (Not coincidentally, both seniors.) And JaJuan may still be improving.

Then again, what am I thinking? There are posters here who looked at Henry's high school accolades and felt anything less than 25 ppg, 15 rpg and a Final Four was underachieving.

I was hoping he could hit 15ppg. 

[Marcus92]

I was hoping he could hit 15ppg.

Seems kind of arbitrary. There's only one basketball. And we have more offensive options than a year ago. Even with the addition of Sam, Katin, Markus and Andrew on the perimeter, JaJuan's usage, scoring and efficiency are all up.

I'm not sure Henry would average 15 ppg on this team.